How Astralis changed at IEM Chengdu
Heading into IEM Chengdu 2024 the most interesting storyline was the one surrounding Astralis.
With device taking up the role of IGL following the departure of blameF and br0 coming in to replace the former captain, there were undoubtedly going to be changes made to their shape, but what exactly were those changes, and how did they affect Astralis in China?
A fast approach
We spoke to device in the run-up to the event to ask him about the possible changes, to which he told us this:
"First of all, having an IGL who is also AWPing is something that they are very used to. So it naturally shifts the pace of the game into something they are used to....The two main things are having an AWPing IGL and playing the style of CS that they did before, my interpretation of that and moving them into the roles that they had before." - device
He wasn't lying either.
Although they may have lost their semi-final game against FaZe, their win on Ancient in that series was done with a lightning pace.
Photo: AstralisFast-paced and brimming with rushes, it was something more akin to cadiaN's HEROIC than anything we have ever seen from Astralis before - and it was clear that karrigan didn't expect it either.
Being able to play at a pace no one can match is part of the reason the former HEROIC team was able to climb so high in the rankings, so it's a good omen for the future of this Astralis team that they've already shown a proficiency for it.
It's a controlled form of chaos that can be adapted to any map, and, when needed, thanks to device's history of playing in a far slower, more methodical style, can also just be used as a pace change when necessary.
Photo: Michal KonkolFinding comfort
One of the key things highlighted by device in our interview with him was the idea of finding comfort for the newer members of the team.
It's no secret that upon the arrival of stavn and jabbi, the biggest questions surrounding the lineup were whether either of those players could adapt to playing with blameF.
The two former HEROIC players were both used to playing in roles that blameF would typically operate in and given the typically selfish playstyle of the big Dane, it never felt likely he would give any of those roles up.
Spoiler alert: he didn't, and the resulting Astralis was one that looked disjointed and incapable of ever performing to the level that the names on the roster demanded. At that point, change was inevitable.
Photo: Michal KonkolYou don't have to read between the lines to see that device wasn't happy with the way they were playing either.
"It was mostly that I had issues with the way we were playing. In general, our in-game approach that we were disagreeing on, and it wasn't a nice way of playing that we were playing beforehand." - device
He then also went on to explain that "moving [stavn and jabbi] into the roles that they were playing before has also shown a really positive impact on them in practice."
Now that we've seen that positive impact translate into positive results in officials, what exactly were those changes?
jabbi still finds himself anchoring CT sides alongside Staehr, but the removal of blameF has meant that stavn is no longer required to be as supportive, and the positive impact of that is already showing on his game.
Photo: Michal Konkolstavn had a 1.40 HLTV rating on the CT side at IEM Chengdu, second only to device who had a 1.49. As for jabbi, it could just be as a result of getting more used to the roles he's now playing in, but he elevated his poor performances thus far in 2023 to 1.29.
These are all great numbers for players expected to be performing at some of the highest levels in the world.
However, the biggest change comes on the T side, and Astralis have their newest member to thank for that.
stavn's new br0
As part of HEROIC, stavn operated as the star in the primary map control pack of the team. Often found throwing utility and trading TeSeS, he became one of the best in the world at trading, and his departure from that role was the biggest eyebrow-raiser when it was revealed he would be playing alongside blameF.
With blameF now gone, stavn is finding himself in those roles once again, and it's seen his T side rating shoot up to an impressive 1.33, but that wouldn't be possible without br0.
Photo: Stephanie LindgrenSigned from Monte, br0 is an aggressive role player who is more than capable of taking over a game himself, but more importantly, he's also happy to play second-fiddle to stavn.
br0's presence on the team is once again allowing stavn to have someone to play around in order to find his impact, and that impact is something Astralis will need if they are to hope to turn their 3rd-4th placed finish in China into something more consistent.
To the stars
Astralis' performance at IEM Chengdu was more than a positive sign for their future as a roster.
Now that they have a team where roles make sense, the signings of jabbi and stavn will finally be allowed to flourish. This was always going to be the most important thing for Astralis if they were to succeed.
Still, that doesn't mean it won't take time. jabbi will still need time in order to adapt to the anchor roles and play at the same level consistently as he did on HEROIC, and so too will Staehr if he hopes to be as strong as sjuush on a consistent basis.
Although with the addition of br0, and with device showing positive signs in his first outing as a leader, there are reasons to be hopeful for Astralis once more.
They're not going to go on a run like they did in 2018, no team is ever going to do that again, but don't be surprised if they bring home a trophy before 2024 is out.